Refrigeration



Nov. 3, 1931.

A. ILENNINGI 1,830,203

REFRIGERATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1327 i l I' ML," I l VENTOR I F 7. Z- wk Nov. 3, 1931. 4 A. LENNlNG 1,830,203

REFRIGERATION Filed Nov. 10, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ENTOR Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE ALVAR LENNING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ELECTROLUX SERVEL COR- PORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF. DELAWARE REFRIGERATION Applicationfiled November 10, 1927. Serial No. 232,237.

My invention relates to refrigeration and particularly to absorption systems of refrigeration wherein absorption liquid is elevated for purposes of circulation. I

In some refrigerators, as, for example, those placed below cook stoves, compactness of refrigerating apparatus is highly desirable. My invention provides a novel generator and arrangement of generator with respect to absorber and other parts of refrigerating apparatus of great compactness relative to refrigeration produced. The-generator proper is horizontal or nearly horizontal,

having preferably substantially horizontally arranged heating means within it such as a gas flue, While having a vertically extending riser and stand pipe section or extension which makes the generator as a whole an L- shaped generator. within the open space of the L and other parts are so arranged conjointly therewith as to provide a very compact apparatus. I

' Furthermore, my novel generator and apparatus gives an unusually high efficiency of operation.

Other objects and advantages will be referred to and still others will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partially in I cross-section taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 shows a modified'form of the invention employing an inclined lowergenerator portion, rectifying disks and other features;

Fig. 4 shows a modified thermo-syphon arrangement for a' generator; Fig. 5 shows a modification employmg analyzing disks; I v

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fi 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line- --7, Fig; 3; and Fig. 8. is a cross-sectional view taken on'line 8'8, Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, reference character 1O designates what I'term the generator proper which is placed in a The absorber is placed horizontal position. A flue 11 extends centrally through generator and commonlcates at one end with a vertically extending off-take 12 which discharges the products of 12 would not be required as there would be no products of combustion to be carried away.

A partition 14 divides generator 10 into two chambers of unequal size, a smaller strong liquor chamber 15 and a lar er weak liquor chamber 16. A dome-shape member 17 is placed on top of and forms a vapor dome for strong liquor chamber 15. A riser pipe 18 extends upwardly from within dome 17. Within dome 17 the riserpipe is provided with one or more ports 8. It extends through the top of dome 17 and within a larger vertically extending conduit or stand pipe 19. It will be seen that the riser pipe communicates with chamber 15 above the top of flue 11. Riser pipe 18 is preferably screwed into a threaded aperture in dome 17 as shown clearly in. Fig. 1 although if desired it might be welded or secured in any other suitable manner. Riser pipe '18 may be welded to dome 17 after being screwed into it. The lower end of stand pipe 19 is closed by dome 17 to which the stand pipe is aflixed. An. inclined conduit 20 of relativev and with the upper part of chamber 16. i

The lower end of conduit 20 within chamber 16 is provided with one or more notches 21.

It will be seen that the conduit 20 likewise communicates with chamber 16 above the top of flue 11. 'The communication of riser pipe 18 andconduit 20 with the generatorcham- 'bersabove flue l1 assures that the flue will be covered-by liquid.

While the generator proper is horizontal, the riser pipe and stand pipe, which may be considered a art of the generator, form a distinctl L-s aped arrangement having a corner 0 amber 15, a horizontal chamber 16 and a vertical chamber 19, which chambers are distinct and separate though interconnected in series. The riser ipe 18 connects chamber with vertical c amber 19; the conduit 20 connects the horizontal chamber with the vertical chamber; and conduits inchamber as will eluding a heat exchanger and absorber connect the horizontal chamber with the corner presently be more specifically .pointed out. 1

A vapor conduit 9 forms an extension of stand pipe 1% is somewhat inclined to the horizontal an communicates with the lower part of a rectification chamber 22. Conduit 9 added to the L-shaped generator forms a C-sh'aped member, the conduit 9 constituting the upper portion of the C.. A leg 23 of a U-shaped member 24 extends centrally within chamber 22 and is open at the top.-

' Leg 23 within chamber. 22 is provided with a serles of flanges 25. A conduit 26 communicates with the upper part of rectification chamber 22 and extends in a generally downwardly within a conduit 31, horizontally within a heat-exchanger 32, upwardly within a conduit 33 and opens downwardly into the 'upper part of an evaporator 34. Evaporator 34 comprisesa closed cylindrical member in which is positioned a series of disks 35. Disks 35 are provided with apertures 36 surrounded by raised rims 37. A conduit 38 connects the bottom of eva orator 34 with a space 39 formed within eat exchanger 32 between tube heads 40 and 41 and surrounding conduits 30 and 46. A conduit 42 connects the lower part of space 39 with the lower part of an absorber 43.

Absorber 43 comprises a closed cylindrical member in which are positioned disks'44 which may be similar to disks 35 in evaporator 34. A portion of, cooling water conduit 29 is secured in the form bf a helical coil around absorber 43. The inside of the coil adjacent to absorber 43 is flattened as shown in Fig. 1 in order that a large contact surface may be secured. The heat transfer bechanger 32 between tube head 40 and the adjacent end of the exchanger. A number of tubes 46 extend from space 45 through tube head 40, space 39 and tube head 41 to a space 47 formed between tube head 41 and the adjacent end of heat exchanger 32. Tubes 46 are tightly fastened in tube heads 40 and 41 so that space 39 is isolated from spaces 45 and 47 except for capillary drain ports 48 and 49 extending through the lower-most portion of tube heads 40 and 41 respectively. A vent pipe 60 establishes communication be tween space 39and the upper part of leg 27 of U-shaped member 24. Conduit 33 con nects space 47 with the upper part of evaporator 34. Y

A conduit 50 connects the bottom of absorber 43 with the upper end of a conduit 51 forming the outer conduit of a liquid heat exchanger 52. The lower end of outer conduit 51 is connected by means of a conduit 53 with chamber 15 of generator 10. A conduit 54 communicates with chamber 16 of the generator, extends within outer conduit 51, formmg the inner conduit of heat exchanger 52, and thence extends upwardly. and communicates with the upper part of absorber '43. A portion of conduit 54 may be brought in heat exchange relation with the cooling water conduit 29 which is placed around'absorber' 43. A good heat transfer may be obtained by welding conduit 54 to the successive turns of conduit 29 as indicated at 63. s

It willbe seen that the absorber is situated above the horizontal portion of the L-shaped member'and to that side of the vertical portion of the L-shaped member to which the horizontal portion also extends. This I term the open space of the L. If a line were drawn from tip to tip of the C-shaped member, the absorber is, within the space defined by such line and the extent of the G. This gives a very compact structure. I do not intend, however, to limit the scope of the invention and its claims to the placing of the absorber wholly within these spaces. The placing of a part of the absorber in this relation will give the advantage, though probably not to so great an extent.

Generator 10, heat exchanger 52 and conduits 19 and 20 are preferably surrounded by 1 heat insulating material 55 contained within metal containers 56 and 57. The entire apparatus is suitably mounted on a panel 58 which'is in turn'secured to a removable portion 59 which, when put in place, forms part of the wall of a refrigerating cabinet (not shown).

The operation of the apparatus as described is as follows:

A solution or liquor comprising a refrig- 1 erant, for instance ammonia, dissolved in an absorbing medium, for instance water, is contained in chambers 15 and 16 of generator and in adjacent conduits. The application of heat to this solution in the generator causes the ammonia to pass out of solution in the form of a vapor. The vapor thus formed in A strong liquor chamber tends to collect in the highest place therein, that is in dome 17, from which it passes through ports 8 into riser pipe 18. Liquid also passes through conduit 18, entering the bottom thereof. The liquid is carriedto the top of the riser conduit in accordance with the well-known thermo-syphon principle. The liquid passes downwardly through conduits 19 and 20 to weak liquor chamber 16 wherein it is further heated and more ammonia is driven out of solution. The ammonia vapor thus formed in chamber 16 tends to collect in the top thereof and passes through notches 21 into conduit 20. Conduits 20 and 19 are of sufiiciently great diameter so that bubbles of ammonia vapor are able to pass upwardly through the liquid which is passing downwardly within the conduits.

The vaporous ammonia along with some water vapor thus driven ofi from both compartments 15 and 16 of generator 10 passes through conduit 9 into rectification chamber 22. The temperature of the vapors is here reduced by coming in heat exchange relation with leg 23 and flanges 25 which are cooled by liquid ammonia within the leg. The reduction in temperature thus effected, while not sufiicient to cause condensation of the ammonia vapor, causes the water vapor to condense to a liquid, which flows back through conduit 9. The ammonia vapor passes from the upper part of chamber 22 into conduit 26 where it is condensed to a liquid by the cooling effect of the cooling water in conduit'29. The liquid ammonia -fiows from conduit 26 into leg 27 of U-shaped member 24 where it stands at a level corresponding approximately to the highest point of conduit 30. Some hydrogen gas, which is present in the apparatus for reasons to be later explained, finds its way through generator 10, rectifier 22 and conduit 26, and, as it is not always soluble at the temperature and pressure existing within the system, the hydrogen tends to collectand I form a gas pocket in leg 27. Vent pipe 60 is I provided to prevent the formation of this gas pocket. I 1

The liquid ammonia passes from member 24 through conduit 30 to within the upper part of evaporator 34 where it is distributed over disks 35 and comes in intimate contact with a gas inert with respect to ammonia, for instance hydrogen, which is introduced through conduit 33. The ammonia evaporates in the presence of and diffuses into the hydrogen and the accompanying drop in temperature produces refrigeration. The

vaporous mixture of ammonia and hydrogen thus formed in evaporator 34 has a greater specific weight than the relatively pure hydrogen in conduit 33 and thus the mixture passes downwardly through apertures 36 and through conduit 38'to space 39 within heat exchanger 32 from whence it passes through conduit 42 to the lower part of absorber 43.

In absorber43 the mixture is brought in intimate contact with absorption liquid which contains but relatively little ammonia in solution. This absorption liquid is introduced into the absorber by means of conduit 54 and is distributed over disks 44. The ammonia is absorbed from the ammoniahydrogen mixture by the absorption liquid and the lighter hydrogen is not absorbed and passes upwardly through the absorber and through conduit 31 to space 45 in heat exchanger 32. From space 45 the hydrogen passes through tubes 46 to space 47 from whence it passes through conduit 33 to the upper part of evaporator 34. In heat exchanger 32 the liquid ammonia in conduit 30 and the hydrogen in tubes 46 are pre-cooled before entering evaporator. 34 by the cold ammonia-hydrogen mixture in space 39 which has just left the evaporator.

The strong solution of ammonia in water formed in absorber 43 passes therefrom by gravity through conduit 50 into outer conduit 51 of liquid heat exchanger 52. From conduit 51 the solution passes through conduit 53 to chamber 15 of generator 1O. From chamber 15 the liquid is elevated through conduit'18, as was previously described, and passes downwardly through conduits 19 and 20 to chamber 16. From chamber 16 the solution,- which has become weakened by reason of the ammonia having been driven 05, passes through conduit 54 to the upper part of abis cooled by the cooler strong solution in conduit 51.

In Fig. 3, a modification is shown wherein the generator proper 10 is inclined from the I horizontal. This is desirable in a gas heated apparatus to permit of a uniform flow of gas "through the gas flue. As will be seen from "Fig. 3, the gas flue is inclined the same amount as the outside generator shell though a like inclination is not necessary. This is also an advantage in any apparatus of this construc tion to ensure gas flow along the top of the generator shell into conduit 20. This type of apparatus is installed in a refrigerator cabinet. Sometimes the floor on which the cabinet rests is "not truly horizontal and if the generator portion is built horizontally with respect to the cabinet, there might bean inclination downwardly toward the outlet flue due to unevenness of the floor forming a gas pocket at the left hand end of the chamber 16.

The inclination is upwardly toward the flue In Fig. 3 also, the lower loop of the liquid heat exchanger 52, designated by reference character 66 is arranged so that flow therein is upwardly toward the generator. This is to allow any vapor in this portion of the heat exchanger to flow upwardly into the generator and prevent a formation of vapor in the strong liquor line'tending to reverse the flow ranged outside stand pipe 19 and connected thereto at the top. Stand pipe 19 and conduit 20 are made as a straight continuation, one of the other.

In vapor conduit 9 are placed a series of disks 67, 68, as shown in Fig. 7. These disks serve to rectify the gases passing through conduit 9. Disks 67, 68 are alternately positioned. I Each disk has a lower open portion 69, these open portions forming a return passageway for condensed absorption liquid toward the generator. Disks 67 have gas apertures 101 at the left hand side as viewed in Fig. 7. The alternate disks 68 have apertures 71 on the right, as viewed in the same direction, and as shown in dotted lining .in Fi 7.

On the upper part of the panel is a tl iermostat operated water control valve interposed in the cooling water conduit and operated in response to the temperature of the water heated in the condenser and passing therethrough. The valve controls the outlet.

end of the cooling water conduit. Details are shown in Fig. 6. I The water, after having cooled the condenser passes into the water control valve casing through opening 102. The water outlet from the casing is indicated at 72 in Fig. 3. A valve plunger 73-controls flow through a passageway'74. The passageway 74 has a gradually increasing cross-section in the direction of flow. A longitudinal groove is formedin the valve plunger which may be usedto give a predetermined minimum flow.

The upper end of this groove cooperates with a surrounding member 75 to form the minimum flow area. Plunger 73 is moved by a thermostat comprising a bellows 7 Gfixed be tween two disks 77, 78. Disk 78 is adjusts able by means of member 79. A cylindrical collar 80 serves to limit/movement of the thermostat and valve plunger. As the water flows around the thermostat, its temperature is transmitted to an expansible fluid within the same thus diminishing orincreasing the rate of flow of cooling water, the arrangement being such as to keep the outlet water at a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the outlet water increases, the

' bracket adapted to fit over the upper condenser loop. The water valve is placed in close thermal contact with the condenser and is fastened to the mounting plate by bolts or the like passing through holes 91. By having the water valve in contact with a hot part of the apparatus, the valve is sure to open after a shut-down.

Gas is supplied to gas burner 13 by means of a gas pipe 92, How through which is controlled by a valve 93 connected to a diaphragm within member 94 on one side. of a chamber containing avolatile or expansible fluid and connected to a bulb within the food space of the cabinet by means of a tube 95. lVhen the temperature within the food space increases, the volatile fluid is expanded in the bulb and valve 93 is opened causing more heat to be supplied to the generator.

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement wherein chamber 15 of Figs. 1 andi3 is replaced by a coil 97 wound around the gas flue, connected to the strong liquor supply line andlto syphon riserpipe 18. This arrangement works in the same manner, the gas for producing the thermo-syphon action being produced in coil 97.

. In Fig. 5, I have shown a further modifica tion which may be applied to the structures of Figs. 1 or 3, which consists in adding analyzing disks 98 such as shown in Fig. 8 to conduit 20. These disks form baflies to the counter-current flow of generated vapor to the strong absorption liquid which provides a low generator temperature.

It will be readily understood that many modifications may be made of what is shown and described herein.

In the accompanying claims it is to be understood that horizontal includes ac'tually horizontal, and substantially horizontal'.

What I claim is:

1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontal shell, a flue extending horizontally through said shell, a partition within said shell forming a strong liquor chamber and a weak liquor chamber, an absorber, a vertical stand-pipe connected to the weak hquor chamber above said flue, a vertical riser ipe connected to the strong liquor chambera ove said flue and connected to the stand pipe to discharge thereinto, a connection between the weak liquor chamber and the upper part of the absorber, and a connection between the lower part of the absorber and the strong liquor chamber the aforesaidconnections be-, A

ing such as to maintain said flue covered by liquid. I

2; Refrigerating-apparatus comprising a horizontal generator section an absorber situated above said generator section, and a heat exchanger arranged around said generator and having a plurality of loops, the lower most loop being carried below the. generator section and inclined upwardly toward the generator section to permit vapor formed therein to flow upwardly into the generator.

3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontal shell, a flue extending horizontally through said shell, a partition within said shell forming a strong liquor chamber and a weak liquor-chamber, an. absorber, a vertical standpipe connected to the Weak liquor chamber above'said flue, a vertical riser pipe connected to the strong liquor chamber above said flue and connected to the stand-pipe to discharge thereinto, a connection between the weak liquor chamber and the upper part of the absorber, a connection between the lower part of the absorber and the strong liquor chamber, the aforesaid connections being such as to maintain said flue covered by liquid, a rectifier, a vapor conduit connecting the upper part of said stand-pipe to said rectifier, and a series of disks in said last-mentioned conduit constituting baflies to the flow of vapor therethrough.

4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontally disposed generator, a stand pipe, said generator comprising a strong liquor chamber and a weak liquor chamber, a vertical riser pipe having its lower end connected to the strong'liquor' chamber and its upper end connected to discharge into said stand pipe, a connection between said stand pipe and said weak liquor chamber adapted to permit flow of vapor upwardly therethrough and flow of liquor downwardly to the weak liquor chamber and a series of analyzing disksin said connection.

;- uor chamber, the aforesaid connections being such asto maintain said flue covered by liquid, said horizontal shell and said stand-pipe forming an L-shaped generator, and said absorber beingsituated within the open space of the L.

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontal shell, a flue extending horizontally through said shell, a vertical stand-pipe connected to said shell above said flue, a vertical riser pipe, an absorber, means connecting said absorber with said riser pipe for conducting liquid from said absorber into heat exchange relation with said flue and thence to said riser pipe, said riser pipe being connected to discharge into said stand-pipe, and a connection between said shell and the absorber for conducting liquid to the absorber, the aforesaid connections being such as to provide a maxinium surface of the flue contacted by liquid.

7 Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontal shell, a flue extending horizontally through said shell. a vertical standpipe connected to said shell above said flue, a vertical riser pipe, an absorber, means connecting said absorber with said riser pipe for conducting liquid from said absorber into heatexchange relation with said fiue' and thence to said riser pipe, said riser pipe being connected to discharge into said stand-pipe, and a connection between said shell and the absorber for conducting liquid to. the absorber, the aforesaid connections being such as to provide a maximum surface of the flue contacted by liquid, said horizontal shell and said stand-pipe forming an L-shaped gen erator and said absorber being situated within the open space of the L.

8. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a horizontal shell, :1 flue extending horizontally through said shell, a partition within said shell forming a strong liquor chamber and a weak liquor chamber, an absorber, a

vertical stand-pipe connected to the weak liquor chamber above said flue, a vertical riser pipe connected to the strong liquor chamber above said flue and connected to the stand-pipe to discharge thereinto, a connection between the weak 1i uor chamber and. the upper part of the absor er, a connection between the lower part of the absorber and the strong liquor chamber, a rectifier, a vapor conduit connecting said stand-pipe with said rectifier, said horizontal shell and said stand-pipe forming an L-shaped generator, and said L-shaped generator and said vapor conduit formlng a C-shaped member, and said absorber being situated within the open space of the C.

9. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a relatively warm portion including a generator, a condenser, a rectifier, an absorber and a liquid heat exchanger and a relatively cold portion including an evaporator and a gas heat exchanger, a single continuous conduit for cooling both the'absorber and the condenser adapted for flow of a cooling medium therethrough, automatic thermostatic mechanism for controlling the flow of said cooling medium, said mechanism being arranged in direct thermal exchange relationship with a member of the said warm portion of the apparatus and operating to maintain a constant temperature of the cooling medium and comprising a valve mechanism and a thermostatic element, said valve mechanism being direetly operated by said element to gradual 1yv open and close in response to variations in temperature of said member of the warm portion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature. I

ALVAR LENNING. 

